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Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: Sulawesi diving vacation in Indonesia

From day one, our Sulawesi diving resort lived the belief that protecting the reefs was going to be an integral part of running a sustainable dive operation. We felt so strongly about this, we started our Collaborative Reef Conservation Program, a privately-funded reef conservation, education, and community improvement program. This unique program is designed to align the interests of the locals and the diving community through a series of mutual agreements and investments. As part of the program, local fishing communities obtain a fair share of the income generated by dive tourism in exchange for adopting more sustainable practices - such as leaving large stretches of reef completely untouched.

The surrounding villages also receive financial incentives to improve their infrastructure. Other contributions go towards education and strengthening local support for the protecting the precious marine life in the region. Currently, the cooperative conservation program protects over 22 miles of coral reefs in the region. In addition, the community programs bring electricity to the 700–person village on the island, encourage environmentally-conscious waste management, and sponsor reef patrols, schools, sporting events, and public moorings to reduce anchor damage.

We have spent years developing, improving and refining these conservation agreements. Our efforts have been based on a commitment to understand the local needs and to treat the local communities as fully consenting peers, so there’s no need to preach or apply pressure. In turn, the local communities have become defenders of these precious underwater properties, a valued resource for them. You can join us with a good conscience, knowing that your visit is helping to preserve these incredible reefs not only for today, but for generations to come.

Reviews of Sulawesi diving vacation in Indonesia

You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the vacations.

I am reborn! Simply the best vacation I have ever been on

Some great stories to tell the grandchildren. Would recommend to a friend

Very enjoyable

It was OK

A bit disappointing really

Reviewed on 19 Sep 2007 by Kevin Green

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Climbing active volcano, Agung Batur, Bali with distance vistas above the clouds. Early morning walk before breakfast along the Champhuan ridge, Ubud Scuba diving in the Wakatobi marine park. The jetty bar with new friends at Wakatobi beach resort at sunset.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Pay the extra and upgrade to the more private/secluded premium select bungalows north (sunset side) of the jetty and at the waters edge - south side windy, less private and set back from the beach. Ubud, Bali/ Wakatobi - great combination. Wished we had done Singapore on the way back.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes, it certainly put money into local pockets but concerned that a western style culture could slowly be imported to the village that would negatively affect the people and their environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

8 out of 10. Diving lacked the big stuff. How about a BBQ on the beach at dinner once in a while or lunch on a deserted beach - needed a bit more variety to the general routine of dive-restaurant-dive-restaurant. Oh yes, and I got food poisoning!